In an age where we're striving for gender equality, photo assistant work remains a male-dominated field. It often feels as if there's a much steeper disparity between female and male assistants, than there is between photographers. And it's not uncommon for women to feel they're treated differently on set — often in the wake of older male assistants.
I was given the opportunity to intern at Milk Studios when I moved here two and a half years ago. Soon after, I signed with a modeling agency. However, my casting schedule began to conflict and I was no longer able to do both. I decided to leave my internship and find assisting work on my own.Charlotte Wales, Jason Kibbler, Rebekah Campbell, Jordan Hemingway...Being a woman has nothing to do with my ability to assist on set. Women can work with the same speed, precision and passion as any man.
I've been assisting for a little over a year. I started when I moved to New York from Paris. I emailed all the photographers whose work I admired to see if they were looking for assistance and got a couple of responses! Then it was all through recommendation.I've worked with Suzanne Saroff, Rémi Lamandé, Matt Tamarro, James Porto, Roger Tully, Francis Hammond.Yes and no.
I have been assisting for about three years. I got started working at ROOT Studios in Brooklyn, and stayed there for a year and then started freelance right after.I work mainly for Anne Menke. We're coming up on two years together and its been great. Before that, was a long mixed up list.I have never felt a disadvantage of being a girl on a photo set. I have been lucky to work with such great people that have never treated me lesser.